Staff and Elders

Pastor Kondo Simfukwe

As Lead Pastor, Kondo is charged with setting and communicating the vision and direction for Mission Point Community Church. He is responsible to help deepen a knowledge and love of Jesus Christ that translates into a church on mission to Invite Everyone Everywhere To Life In Christ. As a pastor, Kondo focuses much of his energies on working closely with the Elder Team and other key leaders to ensure the church is cared for and equipped to show and share the love of Jesus. While Kondo enjoys the opportunities he has to speak in different contexts (colleges, conferences, other churches) his passion is being with and serving his church Family. Kondo was born in London, raised in Zambia, lived his high school years in Australia and then came to the United States for college. He holds a BA in Biblical Studies and a Masters of Divinity with a Counseling emphasis from Grace College and Theological Seminary. While at Grace, he met and married his wife, Melissa. Kondo and Melissa have two children, Judah and Jael. Kondo prides himself in his constant dominance of all family card and board games (although this is heavily disputed by his family). He also loves tennis and being outdoors in the world famous Winona Lake Trails.

Pastor Matt Deuel

Matt Deuel serves as the Director of Creative Communication at Mission Point. He is responsible to represent Mission Point and the vision of Inviting Everyone Everywhere to Life in Christ to the internal audience of the Mission Point Church Family and to the external audience of Kosciusko County and beyond. Matt has had two primary focuses in his working life – video and television production as well as church and non-profit ministry. Matt studied electronic communications and Bible at Moody Bible Institute. He has served as President and Executive Producer for two different production companies, as a youth pastor, and as a non-profit ministry Executive Director. Matt is passionate about helping people realize and unlock their God-given gifts and potential. Matt was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia where he met and married his wife Erica in 2004. They have three kids, Caleb, Jeremiah, and Reagan.

FULL-TIME STAFF

Jennifer Nier

As our Director of Children’s Ministry, Jennifer Nier is responsible for the programming, staff and environments of our Children’s Ministry department. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience working with children and families as a caseworker and most extensively as a Preschool and Children’s Ministry Director. She has an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education, a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Masters Degree in Social Work as well. Jennifer is passionate about creating environments that fuel children’s learning and love of Jesus while enabling parents to be spiritually fed. Jennifer and her husband, Rick, have three children, Jacie, Luke and Jerica.

Josh Salsgiver

A Warsaw native, Josh Salsgiver serves as the member of the Mission Point staff as our Director of Facilities & Finances. He is responsible for the current facility needs of Mission Point, the planning of future facilities and the day to day financial management of the church. He received his Bachelors in Construction Management from John Brown University where he met his wife Jennifer. They have two young children. Whenever he can be outside, Josh spends it cutting firewood or doing outdoor activities with his family. Josh shared, “I’m set on following Gods calling on my life, which has landed me here at MP (orders are orders). I am most excited about pursuing the presence of Jesus together, finding ourselves captivated by Him and being unable to stop ourselves from inviting others into the Light.”

PART-TIME STAFF

Olivia Burkholder

Olivia Burkholder serves as Mission Point’s Director of Congregational Care and Connection. She oversees our guest experience as well as helps to enfold our people into community opportunities. Originally from Carmel, Indiana, Olivia received her undergraduate degree from Purdue University. She is currently pursuing her Masters of Divinity in Counseling from Grace Seminary.

Stacy Engle

Stacy, our Wonderville Coordinator, is responsible to oversee the weekly ministry to Children ages Birth to Pre-K by recruiting and equipping volunteers, as well as preparing lessons and activity materials. Stacy, a Warsaw native, is married to Jared. They have two daughters.

Kari Hanes

Kari serves part time as our Coordinator of Family Care, intent upon partnering, serving, and connecting with our Wonderville and KidzPoint families. Kari is present in Children’s Ministry areas on Sunday mornings to welcome new families, to come alongside MP parents in tangible ways during the week, and to assist with special circumstances as they present themselves. Kari and her husband, Doug, have three children, Grace, Karissa and Matthew.

Emily Hoover

As the Director of Communications & Marketing, Emily is responsible to communicate the heart and information of Mission Point to the Mission Point family, friends and guests. She enjoys serving Mission Point by keeping leaders and the church family informed and equipped to actively engage church life and mission. Emily received her degree in Communication Studies and Christian Education from Taylor University. Her professional career has focused around church ministry, non-profit organizations, higher education and elementary education. Emily is married to her high school sweetheart, Jon, and they have two sons, Alexander and Bennett.

Jamie Koser

Mission Point’s Mission Coordinator, Jamie Koser, plans, coordinates, and oversees outreach activities that impact our county and also seeks to come alongside those engaged in international mission. As the part time coordinator she focuses on creating opportunities that allow the people of Mission Point Community Church to continue to impact our community and the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Jamie, a local of Winona Lake, is compassionate for those who are hurting physically and spiritually. Jamie and her husband, Gabe, have two sons, Nashville and Khesed.

Charlie Miller

As Mission Point’s Ministry Intern, Charlie Miller fills a number of roles. Charlie is part of the teaching team this year and is also taking a lead role in the administrative needs of Mission Point Students, our 7th-12th grade ministry. Originally from Amherst, Ohio, Charlie received his undergraduate degree from Grace College. He is currently completing a graduate degree from Grace Seminary. Charlie met his wife Rachel during their time as students at Grace. In his free time Charlie enjoys being outside and hiking. ivinity in Counseling from Grace Seminary.

Jake Peattie

Jake Peattie serves as our 5.6 Coordinator, leading our 5th and 6th grade students, their parents and the 5.6 volunteers. Jake oversees the 5th and 6th grade Sunday morning experience as well as special events. Originally from Logansport, Indiana, Jake received his degree from Grace College in Elementary Education with a minor in Sports Management. During the week he is a 6th grade teacher at Claypool Elementary where he also coaches their soccer, basketball and track teams. In his free time, Jake enjoys playing basketball and reading.

Jordan Watson

Jordan Watson functions part time as our Technical Director, overseeing live sound and production at Mission Point during our worship services. Jordan enjoys the interaction and the learning/teaching experiences with the worship and tech teams. He is greatly appreciative of the extremely dedicated group of volunteers who are constantly improving their techniques and pushing him further and further. When he is not with us at Mission Point, Jordan works full time in the Information Systems department at Kosciusko Community Hospital. A northern Indiana native, Jordan and his wife, Jonna, have son, Jet, and twins, Jackson and Emma.

Mission Point Community Church Lay Elders

John Barrette

John Barrette is originally from Rhode Island, where he met his wife Joan. While living in Connecticut, John served as a deacon and an elder in their church. He also partnered with Stan Hepler on an evangelism and discipleship trip to Africa in the last few years. John and his wife Joan have three married children: Jonathan and his wife Erin, Jessica and her husband Jon Crow, and Brendan and his wife Melissa. Each of their children has three grandchildren for a total of seven granddaughters and two grandsons. John worked for Zimmer for over 36 years of employment. There he served in several different roles, primarily in marketing and sales. In his spare time, John enjoys to golf, play pickle ball and spoiling his grandchildren.

Jeff Glock

Jeff Glock eagerly serves as an elder because of his desire to serve and further God’s kingdom. Jeff and his wife, Debbie, are current Missional Community (small group) leaders. They also serve as part of our Welcome Team. Jeff retired after a 26 year career at Zimmer Biomet. He and Debbie have three children.

Stan Hepler

Stan has served on our Elder Team previously. We are honored he has agreed to come out of his sabbatical to serve with us again. Stan and his wife Jeri have pioneered our prayer ministry since the early days of Mission Point. Stan retired from his role as an airplane mechanic at Biomet in recent years. Stan and Jeri have three grown children.

Gabe Koser

A Warsaw native, Gabe Koser recently completed his Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Counseling from Grace Seminary. He also has a BS in Business Administration from Grace College and a Master of Arts in Local Church Ministry from Grace Seminary. Gabe is married to Jamie, Mission Point’s Mission Coordinator. Together they have sons Nashville and Khesed. Gabe has been actively involved throughout the life of Mission Point, at various times leading our 5th & 6th grade ministry, our youth ministry and a group for young professionals. When asked about his role as an elder, Gabe shared, “I am both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as an elder for Mission Point Community Church. It provides me with direct opportunities to serve others within the church by using my gifts. I believe in the vision of this church, and it is a joy to serve with the other elders to make sure we are continuing to effectively reach the lost and broken within this community. We have an amazing family of believers, and an incredible opportunity to shine a light in this community; and I am so thankful that I get to play even a small part in doing this work.” Gabe is known to enjoy eading a good book, playing and watching sports, walking, and most of all being with his family.

Mike Taylor

Mike and his wife, Myra, served for years in the Central African Republic. They have co-founded Three Strands, a medical mission organization active in the Central African Republic and Haiti. Mike’s full time job is as a Physician Assistant for MedStat. The Taylors have four daughters.